Personal lifestyle device

ABSTRACT

A handheld device including a memory, a wireless interface, and a non-wireless interface. The memory is configured to store authentication information in the handheld device. The authentication information identifies a user of the handheld device. The wireless interface is configured to interface the handheld device to a wireless network, and to permit the user of the handheld device to communicate with the wireless network based on the authentication information stored in the memory of the handheld device. The non-wireless interface is configured to interface the handheld device to a remote device including an interface compatible with the non-wireless interface of the handheld device, and to permit the remote device to communicate with the wireless network via the wireless interface of the handheld device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/785,991(now U.S. Pat. No. 8,750,920), filed on Mar. 5, 2013, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/550,227 (now U.S.Pat. No. 8,391,919), filed on Jul. 16, 2012, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/155,105 (now U.S. Pat. No.8,224,377), filed on Jun. 7, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/778,229 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,957,764),filed on May 12, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/369,454 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,720,505), filed onMar. 7, 2006. The entire disclosures of the applications referencedabove are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to wireless networks.

BACKGROUND

Communication technology has had a significant impact on the lifestylesof consumers. For example, satellite systems have enhanced the qualityand coverage of cellular phone systems. Satellites have alsorevolutionized television/radio broadcasting by providing alternativesto terrestrial-based broadcasting. Improved multimedia technology hasenabled video conferencing over the Internet, which has reduced the costof doing business.

Communication systems are increasingly becoming interactive. Movies ontelevision can be ordered on demand. Goods can be ordered while viewingadvertisements for the goods on television and on the Internet.Suppliers selling products on the Internet can track orders placed byconsumers and advertise related products to those consumers.Additionally, consumers can specify their preferences and receiveinformation selectively from the suppliers. Consumers, however, need tolog on to the Internet to view the information and benefit from it.

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, this specification discloses a wirelessdevice including: memory configured to store authentication informationin the wireless device, wherein the authentication information is usedto authorize communication between the wireless device and a serviceprovider; and a control module configured to i) establish communicationbetween the wireless device and the service provider using theauthentication information, and ii) advertise, on the wireless device,context-specific information about a service associated with the serviceprovider based on at least one of (i) an ambient temperature, (ii) abody temperature of a user of the wireless device, and (iii) a heartrate of the user.

In general, in another aspect, this specification describes a method foradvertising a service on a wireless device. The method includes: storingauthentication information in the wireless device; using theauthentication information to establish communication between thewireless device and a service provider; and subsequent to thecommunication being established between the wireless device and theservice provider, advertising, on the wireless device, context-specificinformation about a service associated with the service provider basedon at least one of (i) an ambient temperature, (ii) a body temperatureof a user of the wireless device, and (iii) a heart rate of the user.

In still other features, the systems and methods described above areimplemented by a computer program executed by one or more processors.The computer program can reside on a computer readable medium such asbut not limited to memory, non-volatile data storage and/or othersuitable tangible storage mediums.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows is a functional block diagram of a personal lifestyledevice operating in an exemplary environment according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary functional block diagram of a personal lifestyledevice according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an architecture for apersonal lifestyle device according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for operating a personallifestyle device in an exemplary environment according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 5A is a functional block diagram of a cellular phone; and

FIG. 5B is a functional block diagram of a media player.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same referencenumbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. Asused herein, the term module, circuit and/or device refers to anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, aprocessor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one ormore software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit,and/or other suitable components that provide the describedfunctionality. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and Cshould be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using anon-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that steps within amethod may be executed in different order without altering theprinciples of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a personal lifestyle device 100 is shown in anexemplary environment 90. The device 100 can securely communicate withone or more wireless local area networks 102-1, . . . , 102-P(collectively 102). The networks 102 may be administered by one or morenetwork providers. The device 100 can communicate with one or morelifestyle service providers 104-1, . . . , 104-Q (collectively 104)using the networks 102. The lifestyle service providers 104 may includestores 106, franchises 108, food/beverage service provides such asfast-food restaurants 110, etc. The device 100 can be used to orderservices such as apparel, food, beverages, etc. from the lifestyleservice providers 104.

Conversely, the lifestyle service providers 104 can advertisecontext-specific information about their lifestyle services on thedevice 100. The lifestyle service providers 104 can accomplish this byusing logs of past behavior of a user such as buying patterns of theuser that may be stored in the device 100 in the form of user profilesor user behavior logs.

Additionally, the device 100 can monitor events such as stock prices instock markets 112, scores of sporting events 114, etc. The monitoredstock prices, sporting teams, etc., also may be based on user profilesand/or the logs. Other utilities of the device 100 may include enablingdevices 116-1, . . . , 116-R (collectively 116) that do not havewireless communication capabilities to communicate with wirelessnetworks 102. That is, the device 100 can be used as a bridge betweenthe wireless networks 102 and the devices 116 that are not equipped withwireless interfaces.

Furthermore, the device 100 can be used as a remote control to controlTCP/IP enabled devices in a home-based wireless LAN (WLAN) 122-1, . . ., 122-S (collectively 122). Such devices may include a TV 124, an iPOD126, etc. The device 100 can also be used to communicate directly withother devices in peer-to-peer mode independent of location. For example,the device 100 can be used to chat using voice and instant messenger(IM).

Additionally, the device 100 can be used to monitor vital statistics ofthe user. The statistics may include temperature, heart-rate, etc. Thedevice 100 can also be used to store biometric data of the user. Thebiometric data may include fingerprints, eye-scans, etc. The biometricdata can be used for identification/authentication purposes. Thus, thedevice 100 can be used as an active tag in radio frequencyidentification (RFID) applications. As can be appreciated, the device100 is a versatile, scalable, and multifunction device that can be usedin many different applications.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a hardware configuration of a wireless personallifestyle device 100 is shown. The device 100 comprises a memory module130, a user interface module 140, a wireless module 150, a hostinterface module 160, and a control module 170.

The memory module 130 comprises a RAM (random access memory) module 132and a ROM (read-only memory) module 134. The memory module 130 may bevolatile or non-volatile. The memory module 130 may be implemented byintegrated circuits and/or an optical or a magnetic disk drive. Thedevice 100 can store user profiles, information such aspre-authentication for network access, vital statistics of the user,etc., in the memory module 130.

The user interface module 140 comprises a keypad module 142 that enablesa user to navigate through an on-screen menu that is displayed on adisplay module 144 of the device 100. The keypad module 142 can be usedto order lifestyle services from the lifestyle service providers 104.The display module 144 may comprise an LCD panel, a plasma display,etc., that displays menu selections, availability of the networks 102,information about lifestyle service providers 104, etc. The display maybe in the form of text, graphics, icons, etc.

The user interface module 140 further comprises an audio module 146. Theaudio module 146 comprises a speaker and a microphone that enable theuser to listen and talk, respectively. The user interface module 140further comprises a sensing module 147 that can be used to sense ambienttemperature, and vital statistics such as temperature, heart-rate, etc.,of the user. Additionally, the user interface module 140 comprises abiometrics module 148 that can be used to sense and communicatebiometric data of the user such as fingerprints, eye-scans, etc., foridentity verification or authentication purposes.

The user interface module 140 enables a user to use the device 100 overthe networks 102. For example, the user interface module 140 enables theuser to interact with the lifestyle service providers 104, thenon-wireless devices 116, the home WLAN 122, etc. As can be appreciated,additional interfaces can be incorporated in the user interface module140.

The wireless module 150 comprises a medium access controller (MAC)module 152, a base band process (BBP) module 154, a radio frequency (RF)transceiver module 156, and an RF antenna 158. The wireless module 150enables the device 100 to communicate with the networks 102. Thewireless module 150 may conform to one or more IEEE standards such as802.11, 802.11(a), 802.11(b), 802.11(g), 802.11(h), 802.11(n), 802.16,and 802.20 standards, which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

The host interface module 160 comprises interface modules such as anEthernet module 162, an infrared module 164, a USB module 166, a RS-232module 168, etc. These interface modules enable the device 100 tocommunicate with non-wireless devices 116 that use interfaces other thana wireless interface. For example, the device 100 can communicate with alaser printer that has a USB port using the USB module 166. As can beappreciated, additional interfaces may be incorporated in the hostinterface module 160.

A control module 170 controls the operation of the device 100.Specifically, the control module 170 controls handshaking (exchange ofcommands and data) among the memory module 130, the user interfacemodule 140, the wireless module 150, and the host interface module 160.The control module 170 comprises a computer program (software and/orfirmware) that enables the device 100 to communicate with lifestyleservice providers 104, home WLAN 124, etc.

The device 100 can detect the presence of one or more networks 102 whena user enters a wireless “hot spot.” Specifically, the device 100 canseamlessly and securely select, join, and leave one or more networks102. The device 100 enables the user to access one or more networks 102and one or more lifestyle service providers 104. The user can access thenetworks 102 and the lifestyle service providers 104 on-demand or bypre-configuring the device 100 to access selected networks 102 andselected lifestyle service providers 104.

When the device is pre-configured to access selected networks 102 andselected lifestyle service providers 104, a personal identity orauthentication information authorizing the user to access the selectednetworks 102 and the selected lifestyle service providers 104 is storedin the memory module 130. The device 100 automatically exchanges theauthentication information with remote hosts/servers of the selectednetworks 102 and the selected lifestyle service providers 104 when thedevice 100 detects the networks 102 and the lifestyle service providers104.

Specifically, when the user enters a hot-spot, the device 100 detectspresence of available networks 102 and lifestyle service providers 104,and indicates their presence by displaying respective icons on thedisplay module 144. If the user has preconfigured the device 100 to usea detected network 102 and a detected lifestyle service provider 104,the device 100 automatically logs in to the network 102 and into ahost/server of the lifestyle service provider 104 using the storedauthentication information. A lifestyle service preferred by the user atthe point of sale of the lifestyle service provider 104 automaticallyappears on the display module 144.

For example, when the user enters a fast-food restaurant 110, a favoritemeal of the user based on past orders placed by the user in thatrestaurant appears on the display module 144. The user may simply select“yes” from the menu on the display module 144 using the keypad module142. When the user selects “yes,” the device 100 transmits an order forthe lifestyle service, and the order is ready for pickup at the point ofsale. The user can pre-configure in the device 100 one or more lifestyleservices provided by one or more lifestyle service providers 104. Forexample, the user can pre-configure favorite beverage at a coffee store,a favorite category of books at a book store, a favorite type ofapparel, and so on.

Furthermore, depending on an ambient temperature and a body temperatureof the user sensed by the sensing module 147, the device 100 can displayon the display module 144 a hot or a cold food/beverage preferred by theuser. Similarly, the device 100 can display on the display module 144 apreferred apparel that may be suitable for the ambient temperature whenthe user enters a hot spot of an apparel store 106.

The device 100 can track, store, and cache user behavior such as buyingpatterns. The behavioral data are stored in the form of user profiles inthe memory module 130. The lifestyle service providers 104 can use theuser profiles to selectively provide the user with context-sensitive andcontent-specific information when the user enters the hot-spot of thelifestyle service providers 104.

For example, when the user enters a hot-spot of an apparel store 106,the store 106 can flash on the display module 144 advertisements for agarment preferred by the user at that store 106. The advertisements mayinclude streaming audio and/or video. The garment may be similar to anitem that the user prefers at another store 106. This feature of thedevice 100 is transparent across geography. That is, the feature isindependent of the location of the lifestyle service providers 104.Tracking the buying patterns of the user and flashing advertisementsbased on the buying patterns of the user can boost sales for thelifestyle service providers 104. Additionally, this can make shoppingconvenient and efficient for the user.

The device 100 can use the audio module 146 to convey to the user theinformation received from the network 102 and/or the lifestyle serviceproviders 104 instead of or in addition to displaying the informationusing the module 144. For example, when the user enters a fast-foodrestaurant 110, a favorite meal of the user based on past orders placedby the user in that restaurant may be announced using the audio module146 instead of or in addition to being displayed on the display module144.

Additionally, the user can use the audio module 146 to input informationin to the device 100 by using voice commands. For example, the user maysimply say “yes” in response to a voice prompt for a lifestyle servicereceived from a lifestyle service provider 104 instead of selecting“yes” from the menu on the display module 144 using the keypad module142. When the user says “yes,” the device 100 transmits an order for thelifestyle service, and the order is ready for pickup at the point ofsale.

The device 100 comprises a search engine software. The search engineutilizes meta-keys based on profiles that are cached. The search enginecan be used to locate a lifestyle service such as a meal or a beveragethat closely matches a preferred choice of the user. The context usedfor search can be a type of network (e.g., one of the networks 102), alifestyle service provider 104, and past preferences of the user for alifestyle service (e.g., a type of a meal or a beverage) provided by alifestyle service provider 104.

The context-sensitive search capability of the device 100 can be veryuseful when the user is traveling in a foreign country. For example, theuser may desire a preferred lifestyle service that is available in thehome area but unavailable in the foreign country. The search engine canbe used to locate a lifestyle service provider in the area that providesa lifestyle service that closely matches the preferred choice of theuser.

Additionally, the device 100 can be used to monitor/track events.Information about the events can be streamed on the display module 144.For example, the user can pre-configure the device 100 to monitorperformance of stocks, internet-based auctions, sportspersons, sportingteams, etc., that are of interest to the user. The device 100 candisplay stock prices, auction prices, scores of sportspersons and/orsporting teams, etc., on the display module 144. The user can tradestocks and trade items at auctions using the keypad module 142 when thedisplay module 144 shows a desired price.

The device 100 can be used to convert devices 116 that do not havewireless communication capability into devices that are capable ofcommunicating with wireless networks 102. The device 100 communicateswith the devices 116 using the interfaces in the host interface module160, and the devices 116, in turn, communicate with the networks 102using the wireless interface of the device 100. For example, the device100 can use the USB module 166 to communicate with a camera 118 equippedwith a USB interface, and the camera 118 can communicate with thenetworks 102 using the wireless communication module 150 of the device100.

Similarly, using the Ethernet module 162, the device 100 can be pluggedinto an Ethernet port of a standalone PC 120 or a PC that is part of awired LAN. The wireless communication module 150 of the device 100enables the PC 120 to communicate with the networks 102. Theauthentication information stored in the memory module 130 automaticallyestablishes the identity of the user on the PC 120 and enables the PC120 to communicate with the networks 102. Thus, the device 100 can beused to transfer data between the devices 116 and the networks 102.

The identity-establishing feature of the device 100 can be useful inmany other applications. For example, when the device 100 is pluggedinto a photo kiosk, the photo kiosk will automatically recognize theidentity of the user based on the authentication information stored inthe device 100 and will bring up the favorite photos of the user.

Additionally, the device 100 can be used as an active tag in a varietyof RFID applications. For example, a user can simply walk through asecurity check-point. At that point, the device 100 will automaticallytransmit the biometric data of the user to a host/server of the securityfirm. The host/server can verify the biometric data and permit ordecline access to the user. Similarly, the device 100 can be used toautomatically make a credit card payment when the user exits a storeafter purchasing merchandise.

The user can also use the device 100 to chat with other users on thenetworks 102. The device 100 can automatically detect and display a“buddy list” or a list of users that are online on the networks 102. Theuser can select a person from the list using the keypad module 142 andchat with that person. Chat can be voice-based using the audio module146. Alternately, the chat may be of instant messenger (IM) type.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an overview 200 of architecture of a computerprogram (software and/or firmware) utilized by the control module 170 isshown. The computer program may reside in the control module 170 and/orin the memory module 130. The control module 170 comprises a processor171 that executes the computer program.

The computer program comprises a control program 172, a network program173, a search engine 174, and one or more client services 178. Theprocessor 171 executes the control program 172 to control the operationof the device 100. Specifically, the control program 172 manageshandshaking, or exchange of commands and data, among the memory module130, the user interface module 140, the wireless module 150, and thehost interface module 160. The control program 172 processes informationthat is transmitted and received by the device 100.

The network program 173 enables the device 100 to communicate with thelifestyle service providers 104, the home WLAN 122, etc. The networkprogram 173 comprises a medium access control (MAC) layer 180 thatinterfaces the hardware layer (the modules 130, 140, 150, 160, and 170)of the device 100 to a transport layer (layer 2). The transport layer ofthe network program 173 comprises TCP/IP 182, a user datagram protocol(UDP) and a real time protocol (RTP) 184, etc.

An application layer of the network program 173 comprises supplicants186. The supplicants 186 request access to LAN services of remotehosts/servers 210 of the networks 102 and the lifestyle serviceproviders 104. The supplicants 186 also respond to requests from remotehosts/servers 210 of the networks 102 and the lifestyle serviceproviders 104.

The client services 174 are provided by providers of the networks 102and the lifestyle service providers 104. The client services 174 enablethe device 100 to communicate with remote hosts/servers 210 of thenetworks 102 and the lifestyle services providers 104.

The remote hosts/servers 210 comprise computer programs that receivedata transmitted by the device 100 and transmit data to the device 100.Specifically, the computer programs that run on the remote hosts/servers210 perform tasks such as verifying authentication information of theuser of the device 100, process orders placed by the user, transmitadvertisements to the user, etc.

The search engine 176 performs on demand, context-specific searches suchas locating a lifestyle service in a foreign country. The search engine176 uses user profiles or logs stored in the memory module 130 toperform the searches.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary method 300 for operating apersonal lifestyle device 100 in an exemplary environment begins in step302. The device 100 determines in step 304 if the device 100 is sensinga network. If not, the method 300 returns to step 302. Upon sensing anetwork, the device 100 determines in step 305 whether the user (ownerof the device 100) has subscribed to the network. If not, the method 300returns to step 302. Otherwise, the device 100 automatically transmitslogin information of the user to a remote host 210 of the network instep 306. The remote host 210 verifies the login information andtransmits a message to the device 100 indicating whether the loginsucceeded. Based on the message, the device 100 determines in step 308if the login succeeded. If the login failed, the method returns to step302.

If the login succeeded, the device 100 determines in step 310 if thedevice 100 logged into a remote host 210 of a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) 102 or a remote host 210 of a lifestyle service provider104. If logged into a WLAN 102, the user accesses the WLAN 102 in step312 and can perform functions associated with distributed communicationssystems such as the Internet. For example, the user can performactivities such as sending instant messages, accessing e-mail, tradingstocks, searching for a lifestyle service provider, and/or otheractivities. The user determines in step 316 whether to performadditional activities on the WLAN 102. If so, step 312 is repeated.Else, the method 300 returns to step 302.

Instead, if the user is 100 is logged into a remote host 210 of alifestyle service provider 104, the device 100 automatically receives arequest from the remote host 210 to transmit a user profile in step 318.The device 100 automatically responds to the request by transmitting auser profile in step 320. In step 322, the device 100 automaticallyreceives a suggestion from the remote host 210 for a lifestyle serviceprovided by the lifestyle service provider 104 in step 322.

The user determines in step 324 whether the suggestion is anadvertisement or is a prompt to purchase a preferred service. The usermay read and/or disregard the suggestion if the suggestion is anadvertisement, and the method returns to step 302. If the suggestion isfor a preferred service, the user may decide in step 326 whether topurchase the service.

If the user decides not to purchase the suggested service, the methodreturns to step 302. If the user orders the service, the device 100transmits an order to the remote host 210 in step 326. The remote hostprocesses the order by attempting to transfer appropriate funds from apreauthorized bank account of the user. The remote host 210 transmits amessage to the device 100 indicating whether the order is successfullyprocessed. Additionally, the remote host 210 places the order at apoint-of-sale where the device 100 is located if the order issuccessfully processed. Based on the message received by the device 100,the user determines in step 328 whether the order may be ready forpickup. If not, the method returns to step 302. Otherwise, the user maypick up the order in step 330, and the method returns to step 302.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B, some exemplary implementations of thepresent invention are shown. Referring now to FIG. 5A, the presentinvention can be implemented in a cellular phone 450 that may include acellular antenna 451. The present invention may be implemented in eitheror both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generallyidentified in FIG. 5A at 452, a WLAN interface, mass data storage of thecellular phone 450 and/or a power supply 453. In some implementations,the cellular phone 450 includes a microphone 456, an audio output 458such as a speaker and/or audio output jack, a display 460 and/or aninput device 462 such as a keypad, pointing device, voice actuationand/or other input device. The signal processing and/or control circuits452 and/or other circuits (not shown) in the cellular phone 450 mayprocess data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations,format data and/or perform other cellular phone functions.

The cellular phone 450 may communicate with mass data storage 464 thatstores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magneticstorage devices for example hard disk drives HDD and/or DVDs. The HDDmay be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameterthat is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The cellular phone 450 may beconnected to memory 466 such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memorysuch as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. Thecellular phone 450 also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLANnetwork interface 468.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, the present invention can be implemented in amedia player 500. The present invention may be implemented in either orboth signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generallyidentified in FIG. 5B at 504, a WLAN interface, mass data storage of themedia player 500 and/or a power supply 503. In some implementations, themedia player 500 includes a display 507 and/or a user input 508 such asa keypad, touchpad and the like. In some implementations, the mediaplayer 500 may employ a graphical user interface (GUI) that typicallyemploys menus, drop down menus, icons and/or a point-and-click interfacevia the display 507 and/or user input 508. The media player 500 furtherincludes an audio output 509 such as a speaker and/or audio output jack.The signal processing and/or control circuits 504 and/or other circuits(not shown) of the media player 500 may process data, perform codingand/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform anyother media player function.

The media player 500 may communicate with mass data storage 510 thatstores data such as compressed audio and/or video content in anonvolatile manner. In some implementations, the compressed audio filesinclude files that are compliant with MP3 format or other suitablecompressed audio and/or video formats. The mass data storage may includeoptical and/or magnetic storage devices for example hard disk drives HDDand/or DVDs. The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or moreplatters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. Themedia player 500 may be connected to memory 514 such as RAM, ROM, lowlatency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitableelectronic data storage. The media player 500 also may supportconnections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface 516. Still otherimplementations in addition to those described above are contemplated.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoingdescription that the broad teachings of the present invention can beimplemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention hasbeen described in connection with particular examples thereof, the truescope of the invention should not be so limited since othermodifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon astudy of the drawings, the specification and the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handheld device comprising: a memory configuredto store authentication information in the handheld device, wherein theauthentication information identifies a user of the handheld device; awireless interface configured to interface the handheld device to awireless network, and permit the user of the handheld device tocommunicate with the wireless network based on the authenticationinformation stored in the memory of the handheld device; and anon-wireless interface configured to interface the handheld device to aremote device, wherein the remote device includes an interfacecompatible with the non-wireless interface of the handheld device, andpermit the remote device to communicate with the wireless network viathe wireless interface of the handheld device.
 2. The handheld device ofclaim 1, wherein the authentication information stored in the memory ofthe handheld device automatically establishes an identity of the user onthe remote device.
 3. The handheld device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a receive module configured to, in response to the handhelddevice establishing communication with a service provider via thewireless network, receive information from the service provider via thewireless network about a service provided by the service provider; and atransmit module configured to, in response to the handheld devicereceiving the information about the service from the service provider,transmit an order for the service to the service provider, wherein thereceive module is configured to receive the information and the transmitmodule is configured to transmit the order based on at least one of (i)an ambient temperature around the handheld device, and (ii) a vitalstatistic of the user of the handheld device.
 4. The handheld device ofclaim 3, further comprising a sensing module configured to sense atleast one of (i) the ambient temperature around the handheld device, and(ii) the vital statistic of the user of the handheld device.
 5. Thehandheld device of claim 3, wherein the memory is further configured tostore a profile comprising services provided by the service provider,the handheld device further comprising a search engine configured to:use the profile to search service providers, and for each service,locate the service provider that provides the service.
 6. The handhelddevice of claim 3, further comprising: a display module configured todisplay first data received by the receive module from at least one ofthe wireless network and the service provider; and a keypad configuredto permit the user of the handheld device to input second data inresponse to the first data displayed on the display module, wherein thetransmit module is further configured to transmit the order for theservice in response to the second data input by the user via the keypad.7. The handheld device of claim 3, further comprising: a speakerconfigured to output sound waves based on data received by the receivemodule from at least one of the wireless network and the serviceprovider; and a keypad configured to permit the user of the handhelddevice to input data in response to the sound waves output by thespeaker, wherein the transmit module is further configured to transmitthe order for the service in response to the data input by the user viathe keypad.
 8. The handheld device of claim 3, further comprising: amicrophone configured to receive sound waves and to generate an outputbased on the sound waves, wherein the transmit module is furtherconfigured to transmit the order for the service in response to theoutput generated by the microphone.
 9. The handheld device of claim 1,further comprising: a biometrics module configured to sense biometricdata of the user of the handheld device, wherein the handheld devicecommunicates with a radio frequency identification system based on thebiometric data.
 10. A method comprising: storing authenticationinformation in a memory of a handheld device, wherein the authenticationinformation is used to identify a user of the handheld device;interfacing the handheld device to a wireless network using a wirelessinterface of the handheld device; permitting the user of the handhelddevice to communicate with the wireless network via the wirelessinterface of the handheld device based on the authentication informationstored in the memory of the handheld device; interfacing the handhelddevice, using a non-wireless interface of the handheld device, to aremote device, wherein the remote device includes an interfacecompatible with the non-wireless interface of the handheld device; andpermitting the remote device to communicate with the wireless networkvia the wireless interface of the handheld device.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising automatically establishing an identity ofthe user on the remote device using the authentication informationstored in the memory of the handheld device.
 12. The method of claim 10,further comprising: in response to the handheld device establishingcommunication with a service provider via the wireless network,receiving information from the service provider via the wireless networkabout a service provided by the service provider; and in response to thehandheld device receiving the information about the service from theservice provider, transmitting an order for the service to the serviceprovider, wherein the receiving the information and the transmitting theorder is based on at least one of (i) an ambient temperature around thehandheld device, and (ii) a vital statistic of the user of the handhelddevice.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising sensing at leastone of (i) the ambient temperature around the handheld device, and (ii)the vital statistic of the user of the handheld device.
 14. The methodof claim 12, further comprising storing, in the memory of the handhelddevice, a profile comprising services provided by the service provider,the method further comprising: using the profile to search serviceproviders; and for each service, locating the service provider thatprovides the service.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:displaying, on a display of the handheld device, first data receivedfrom at least one of the wireless network and the service provider;permitting the user of the handheld device, in response to the firstdata displayed on the display of the handheld device, to input seconddata via a keypad of the handheld device; and transmitting the order forthe service in response to the second data input by the user via thekeypad.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: outputting soundwaves, via a speaker of the handheld device, based on data received fromat least one of the wireless network and the service provider;permitting the user of the handheld device, in response to the soundwaves output via the speaker, to input data via a keypad of the handhelddevice; and transmitting the order for the service in response to thedata input by the user via the keypad.
 17. The method of claim 12,further comprising: receiving sound waves via a microphone of thehandheld device; generating an output based on the sound waves; andtransmitting the order for the service in response to the outputgenerated by the microphone.
 18. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: sensing biometric data of the user of the handheld device;and communicating with a radio frequency identification system based onthe biometric data.